Black Hill from Earlston

[thepigguy]

Saturday morning in Edinburgh was bright and sunny and a walk seemed like a good idea, but I was restricted to bus routes and just fancied a short outing, so I settled on the 51 bus from Waterloo Place, getting off at Earlston at ten to ten.

Looking at local websites, there seem to be a few ways of extending the walk to something longer, but, with a time limit two-and-a-half hours I decided to head straight up the road from the bus stop in the middle of the small town.

The road isn't too busy, but some care is needed as there is little in the way of verge or pavement for much of the way.

I came out of woodland and saw the parking area ahead (room for three, maybe four cars) where I went through the gate and up the clearly signposted walkers' track, turning right after a few hundred yards to head straight to the hill.

Looking back to the car park from the walkers' path

Black Hill from the walkers' path

Signposting is clear

Track up to Black Hill

Once at the base of the hill there's a choice of walking round and gently up or attacking the thing head on. I went for option B and followed a faint path straight uphill. I was glowing nicely by the time I clambered up to the top.

Taking a direct(ish) route

Height is very quickly gained

Views weren't the greatest on such a hazy, sunny day, but it was still a smashing place to be on such a beautiful, warm morning so I hung around and sunbathed for about 30 minutes before setting off back down, this time taking the grassy path down the gentle side of the hill before turning left near the bottom to rejoin the track to the road.

If you can't see the Eildons, there's a good chance you're not in the Borders

Top of Black Hill

Earlston

Path back down

Looking back on the way down

Not a spectacular hill, but absolutely worth a couple of hours of anyone's time and one I shall be visiting again.